Symptoms of udder induration in a cow and treatment at home

Pathologies affecting the udder of a cow often arise due to violations of housing rules, unsanitary conditions during milking, and damage to the animal’s organ. All these factors contribute to the spread of infection to damaged areas. Udder induration can be classified as one of these diseases. Pathology is a compaction of the organ as a result of the proliferation of connective tissue and the death of parenchyma.

Causes of udder induration

The main factors provoking the disease are:

• swelling of the organ, which continues for a long time;
• inflammatory process suffered by animals.

Main symptoms

Signs of udder induration are as follows:

• organ density, which does not disappear after milking (meat udder);
• the udder does not decrease even during the dry period;
• further compaction of the glands occurs;
• mucous formations in the form of flakes are found in milk;
• nodes may be present within the affected lobe;
• the animal does not feel pain;
• sometimes the udder increases slightly, but the density of the organ increases significantly.

There are primary and secondary induration of the udder. In the first case, the pathology affects the entire organ, in the second, only part of the gland or one lobe is affected.

How is the disease diagnosed?

To identify pathological conditions of the udder, including induration, ultrasound scanners and thermal imagers are used in cattle.

Treating a cow at home

Unfortunately, the process of tissue proliferation is irreversible. Therapy in this case does not bring any results.

Possible consequences and prevention

Due to induration, the productivity of the mammary gland decreases or completely stops. If not all tissues are affected, but only part of them, then a slight restoration of function is possible by the beginning of a new period of lactation.

However, if the pathological process affects the secretory part of the organ, the quality of the milk decreases. The product acquires the following properties:

• mucous;
• unpleasant taste;
• gray;
• it contains flakes.

Since this condition does not go away on its own and is not even cured by any means, it is necessary to carefully monitor compliance with the rules of keeping cows, including the milking process.It is also important to protect animals from injury.

So, to prevent the development of induration and other udder diseases, the following measures are taken:

1. Cleanliness check. Compliance with sanitary standards in barns, including the following points:

• regular change of litter;
• is there any debate on the surfaces;
• Are all premises thoroughly cleaned (cleaning is carried out after the cattle are driven to the milking process). The health of animals depends, among other things, on the quality of the litter. The recommended thickness is from 15 to 20 cm. Sand, straw, and sawdust are used as materials.

2. Identification of sick animals. If cows suffering from mastitis are discovered, they must be separated from the rest of the herd.
3. Correct treatment of the udder before and after milking. There are several important aspects here:

• the drugs used (iodine-based products are recommended, since they do not lead to dependence and do not change their characteristics under the influence of ambient temperature);
• correct setting of the milking machine;
• competent treatment of the udder;
• hand hygiene (wash hands thoroughly before milking);
• sterility of wipes for wiping the mammary gland (it is advisable that wipes be selected separately for each animal).

4. Compliance with milking technology. This is especially true when starting the procedure. The first streams of milk must be collected in a separate container and only then full milking begins.
5. Regular examinations of animals, it is important to show them to a veterinarian.
6. Vaccination against infections.
7. Ensuring feeding and watering in accordance with all rules.
8. Removing items from the barn that could cause injury to the animal. It is best to protect cows from being injured or otherwise harmed.
9. Use caution when using a catheter.
10. Timely treatment of wounds, burns and other injuries.

Cow udder induration is a common disease among cows, the main negative consequence of which is a decrease in the milk productivity of cattle. The pathology cannot be treated, so everything must be done to prevent the development of the disease in animals.